Next time you shop at Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, pop upstairs. You’ll find an art exhibition by a local artist, thanks to a new partnership between the co-op and Timeless Thrills Gallery.
“A few months back, someone came into the gallery who happened to be an employee at the co-op,” says Tyler Wichmann, who owns the J Street art gallery with his wife Jessica. “We hit it off and they mentioned they were interested in creating more creative avenues with the upstairs space and showing local art.”
Wichmann didn’t expect anything to come from the conversation. But weeks later, the co-op sent an email. From there, the gallery and grocery store formed a partnership for quarterly art shows.
Timeless Thrills has transformed over the years. What started as a flagship store for the Wichmanns’ apparel brand morphed into a creative hub and gallery. The shift was no accident.
“We always wanted to use the space as a hub for the community and throw events,” Wichmann says. “We’ve done every kind of event and pop-up shop you can think of, but as time went on, we did more and more art shows.”
Timeless Thrills has curated all kinds of exhibitions with all kinds of talent, from photographers and printmakers to tattoo artists and airbrush painters. When the food co-op said it wanted to showcase local artists, the Wichmanns knew they were the right partner.
“We’re both such Sacramento home-grown businesses, even though they’re bigger and we’re smaller, we have the same values and we mesh well,” Wichmann says.
Bushra Imdad, food co-op marketing director, agrees. “We wanted to create a space that celebrates local creativity while enhancing the shopping experience for our members,” Imdad says.
The first exhibition, “Globular Motion” by Tony Mills, is on view through Jan. 24. A California artist, Mills produces bright, playful work in gouache and ink on paper, inspired by nature and the spirit of childhood creativity.
Mills is more than a talented painter. He’s a skilled art handler, which is how he came to know the Wichmanns.
“Tony has worked with us for over year doing everything from installing to curation to shipping artwork. He’s very experienced in this industry,” Wichmann says. “I’ve always really liked his work, so in the back of my mind, I was always trying to figure out how to fit him in with what we do here.”
Each food co-op show opens with a catered reception. Timeless Thrills offers a 5% discount for co-op members to “help accessibility, push community engagement and give a little perk to members,” Wichmann says.
Imdad adds, “It’s a beautiful partnership. We’re super excited for the future.”
For information, visit timelessthrills.com. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op is at 2820 R St.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
